Cavings Analysis
A Key to Managing Wellbore
Instability in Real Time
Monitoring the volume of cavings versus time
• provides an early warning of wellbore instability
• signals need to improve hole cleaning
• indicates which drilling practices destabilize the wellbore
Interpretation of cavings morphology
• helps determine cause of wellbore failure
• helps determine optimal remedial action
These multifaceted rock fragments result from shear failure of the
wellbore
Key Characteristics
• facets are newly created fracture surface
• facets may be curviplanar
• facets are nonparallel
• failure-two regions on the wellbore
separated by 180°
Borehole Images illustrating sections of wellbore that have
suffered shear failure (dark bands A and B) which are the sources
of angular cavings.
RAB* (Resistivity At Bit) images allow diagnosis of wellbore failure
while drilling.
RAB while-drilling Image
Schematic borehole cross section
(looking down hole) showing locus of
shear failure where angular
UBI* after-drilling Image cavings originate (A and B).
Remedial Action
• if mud weight close to Pp: raise mud weight
• if mud weight close to fracture pressure
– maintain mud weight
– decrease fluid loss
– manage hole cleaning
These cavings are rock fragments bounded by
preexisting planes of weakness.
Key Characteristics
• majority of caving surfaces represent
preexisting planes of weakness
• one or more parallel surfaces are common
• surfaces tend to be relatively smooth and planar
• failure initiates on high side of wellbore when well is nearly
parallel to a plane of weakness
Schematic diagram of a well intersecting
preexisting planes of weakness (bedding,
fractures).
Platy-blocky cavings originate on high side of the
hole due to gravitational instability.
UBI after-drilling image
RAB while-drilling image
Borehole images illustrating damage on high side of
wellbore. RAB image (left) damage (dark region) is centered
on high side (u). UBI image (right) high side damage is
oriented 330°.
Note: High side damage is well developed when wells are
deviated along bedding or fracture dip direction.
Remedial Action
• maintain mud weight
• minimize fluid loss coefficient of drilling
mud
• use crack blocking additives
• avoid back reaming
• manage hole cleaning
• avoid excessive rpm and drillstring
vibrations
• employ gentle drilling practices
Surface structures commonly associated with
extension (mode 1) fractures (after Kulander
and Dean, 1985).
Key Features
• typical lithology: low-permeability shale fragments
• caving surfaces show plume structure indicative of
tensile failure
• entire circumference of wellbore may be damaged
Food for Thought
• More than one type of caving (mode of instability) can be produced in a single
openhole section. The driller must determine which mode of failure is most
problematic and take the appropriate remedial action.
• It is important to respond to sudden changes in cavings rate. A small constant
volume of cavings production is worth monitoring but may not require
immediate remedial action.
• The use of cavings morphology to diagnose wellbore failure cavings is relatively
new. When interpretation of cavings is problematic, e-mail a digital image of the
cavings to a geomechanics specialist. Include a coin or ruler for scale and, if
possible, locate the source on a (RAB, UBI, FMI*[Fullbore Formation
MicroImager]) borehole image or on an oriented 4-arm or 6-arm caliper.
• Issue a digital camera capable of producing a sharp image of a U.K. 1 pound
coin or a U.S. quarter dollar to the mud logger.
